Best of Late Night: Samantha Bee Skewers Paul Manafort and Donald Trump Jr.

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Bee Pulls No Punches

It’s been a wild week for Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign manager, who is being tried on numerous federal charges, including accusations that he hid more than $30 million in foreign income.

His extravagant lifestyle has also drawn attention, notably his alleged purchases of jackets made of python and ostrich skin that cost well into the five digits.

“Leaked messages from his own daughter said he has ‘no moral or legal compass,’ has ‘killed people in Ukraine,’ and even referred to him as ‘a sick [expletive] tyrant.’ And that was all in his Father’s Day card.” — SAMANTHA BEE

But Bee saved her sharpest spears for Donald Trump Jr., who could be on thin legal ice over his June 2016 meeting with Russians at Trump Tower. President Trump said on Twitter on Sunday that the meeting was held to “get information on an opponent.”

Bee said there were other dealings in which Trump Jr. had failed to cover his tracks, including the Trump SoHo, a luxury condominium-hotel in Lower Manhattan that struggled to attract guests and buyers.

“The Trump family got sued for lying to buyers about the building’s sales figures, and Donnie wrote in his emails that nobody would ever find out about the scam because only people on the email chain or in the Trump Organization knew about it. Aw. This is about one step above writing a note that says, ‘Dear crime: I am guilty of you.’” — SAMANTHA BEE

“Donnie even met alleged Russian agent Maria Butina at an N.R.A. dinner before the election. Any time there was collusion going on, Donnie was there. He shows up everywhere. He’s like the Forrest Gump of collusion!” — SAMANTHA BEE

Bee summed up the segment with a characteristically brutal jab.

“This sad, sticky wad of congealed hair gel has spent his whole life seeking his dad’s approval and failing at it, and now he might be the one to bring down Trump’s presidency.” — SAMANTHA BEE

Changes at the Oscars

The Oscars on Wednesday announced a slate of changes, including shortening the broadcast and, more controversially, adding a category for “best popular film.” Jimmy Kimmel wants to know: Did he do something wrong?

“It’s really kind of interesting: Apparently I did such a good job hosting the Oscars this year, they’ve decided to change everything about them.” — JIMMY KIMMEL

As for the new category, count Kimmel in favor.

“I guess someone over there had an idea. They said, ‘What if we honored some movies that people have actually seen?’ And everybody went, ‘Yeah, that’s great, we should do that.’” — JIMMY KIMMEL

“This is exciting. You know what this means? One day we may very well hear the words, ‘And the Oscar goes to: “The Fast and the Furious 18: Never Stop Fasting, Never Stop Furiousing.”’” — JIMMY KIMMEL

The Punchiest Punchlines (Insider Trading Edition)

“Today, Congressman Collins was indicted on insider trading charges. Insider trading is the whitest of all white-collar crimes — if you don’t count conspiracy to wear khakis to a Jimmy Buffett concert.” — STEPHEN COLBERT, discussing the case of Representative Chris Collins

“Donald Trump Jr. called into a radio show the other day, but when they asked about his Trump Tower meeting with the Russians his phone suddenly had technical difficulties. Or as Vladimir Putin put it, ‘You’re welcome.’” — JIMMY FALLON

“I just saw that the University of Delaware was named America’s No. 1 party school, while the worst party school is once again home school.” — JIMMY FALLON

The Bits Worth Watching

With Jim Mattis, the secretary of defense, now supporting the creation of a “space force,” Trump’s vision may become a reality. Kimmel imagined how its recruitment videos might look.

Jimmy Fallon likes to outsource his comedy, but at least he’s creative about it. Here’s the most recent edition of his “hashtags” series, in which audience members tweet stories and punchlines at him. This time:#WhyImSingle.

What We’re Excited About on Thursday Night

Emma González and Matt Deitsch, two graduates of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., who have become leaders in the #NeverAgain gun control movement, will speak to Trevor Noah on Thursday.

Also, Check This Out

Langston Hughes, one of the great literary minds of the 20th century, was long thought to have been born in 1902. Then a late-night web search led to a surprising discovery.